BREAKING: Anderson Cooper Comes Out!

Everyone, quick, stop what you’re doing! You won’t believe what you’re about to hear! Anderson Cooper, the most adorable journalist the world has ever known, has announced to the world that he is gay. WHOA.

“The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud,” the CNN anchor wrote Monday in an open letter to his longtime friend Andrew Sullivan of the Daily Beast.

The host of Anderson Cooper: 360, 45, also says that he has waited until now to announce the fact because, “As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn’t matter.”

Cooper, who also hosts his own syndicated talk daytime show Anderson, addressed the subject after Sullivan – a British writer who is openly gay and Catholic – put the question to him after a cover story in the current Entertainment Weekly focused on how gay people in the public life are currently coming out in understated and matter-of-fact manners.

“Andrew, as you know, the issue you raise is one that I’ve thought about for years. Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life. Part of that has been for purely personal reasons. I think most people want some privacy for themselves and the people they are close to,” Cooper began.

“It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long,” he continued. “I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.”

Of course I’m happy that Anderson is happy and proud, and I think it’s nice that he decided to come out to show that he isn’t ashamed of his sexuality. But you guys know as well as I do that this isn’t really that much of a story beyond “aww, good for you, Anderson Cooper!” Everyone knew that man was gay. Everyone. It’s kind of like if Lindsay Lohan made an announcement saying “The fact is, I’m a hot mess,” or if Adele made an announcement saying “The fact is, I’m the best ever.” Like, thanks for confirming, but we pretty much knew already.

Basically, I’m waiting for the day when someone comes out completely unexpectedly. I want a “The fact is, I’m gay,” from, say LeAnn Rimes. Can you imagine? Best news day ever.

I couldn’t be happier for Anderson Cooper. Having to keep that a secret to protect his career is harder than you think when you’re doing it. When you finally can open your mouth and tell anyone that you are LGBT and not worry that the wrong person will hear… well… It’s like you’ve been holding your breath for all those years and you can finally breathe. It is the most liberating feeling in the world to be able to be who you were born to be and not be afraid to say it. I am so, so proud that he has shown all those haters that have loved his work and watch his show, that they can appreciate a person regardless of their sexuality. If they stop watching him because of this, they are plainly idiots and don’t get it anyway.